Gabon Facts.

The ultimate nature experience is something that you will gain upon the visit in Gabon. This country on the West Coast of Africa offers activities that could never be experienced in other countries. Its capital Libreville is the timber center of trade. Within this city is the terrain of rainforest that you could explore and spot different animals such as rare forest mammals. If you are more of a beach person, there is the Pointe Denis just in front the city. The short boat ride will transport you to an amazing place where different water activities can be done and an unobstructive view of Librevilles skyline can be seen. Gabon is one country worth seeing.

Interesting and Important Facts About Gabon

Low population density, abundant petroleum, and foreign private investment[ambiguous] have helped make Gabon one of the most prosperous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the 4th highest HDI and the third highest GDP per capita (PPP) (after Equatorial Guinea and Botswana) in the region.

Most Gabonese have Bantu origin, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, and Obamba).

Gabon has rich reserves of manganese, iron, petroleum and timber.

Almost 80-85% of Gabon is covered by rainforests, 11% of which has been dedicated for national parks making these parks some of the largest nature parks in the world.

The rainforests of Gabon are home to 777 species of birds.

Ogooué is the largest lake in Gabon and stretches over a distance of 1200 km.

Gabon was annexed into the territories of French Equatorial Africa. this federation lasted for almost five decades.

The highest point in Gabon is Mont Iboundji that stands at a total height of 1,575 m or 5166 ft.

Gabon is home to hundreds of dolomite and limestone caves many of which are yet to be explored.

Musee des Arts et Traditions du Gabon (Museum of Art and Culture) Museum of Art and Culture is located in Libreville. Featuring an unrivalled collection of masks, the Musée des Arts et Traditions du Gabon is essential viewing for visitors to Libreville.

Ivindo National Park is located within 362 km from Libreville Cty in east-central Gabon. It is bisected by the equator and it contains the famous Kongou Falls and Langoué Bai, one of the five most important forest clearings in Africa. A variety of wildlife, such as forest elephants, primate’s gorilla, chimpanzee and birds. Ivindo is an absolute wonderland for those looking for a remote safari.

Cool, Funny, and Fun Facts About Gabon

The popular US TV show “Survivor” took place in Gabon in 2008.

Abortion is illegal in most circumstances but in high demand in Gabon. None the less, 15% of the women in Gabon have had an abortion.

Gabon is home to 80% of Africa’s Gorilla population.

People over the age of 65 years form only 3.9% of the population of Gabon.

According to the French weekly L’Autre Afrique, President Bongo is said to own more real estate in Paris than any other foreign leader.

The entire country of Gabon is just slightly smaller than the state of Colorado in the United States.

Th coast was once a centre of slave trade.

A goalkeeper has died after being kicked in the head during a championship tournament match in the West African country of Gabon.Sylvain Azougoui of the AC Bongoville soccer club had just stopped a shot on goal, but the attacker lost his balance on the wet grass and stepped on the goalkeeper’s head.

The defense forces of Gabon have strength of about 8000 personnel.

The minimum age to vote in Gabon is 21 years of age.

Historical and Cultural Facts About Gabon

The region was initially inhabited by the Pygmy peoples later the people of the Bantu tribes immigrated to the place.

In 18th century, Orungu, the Myeni kingdom was established in Gabon. In 1875 the French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza arrived here and established the town of Franceville. When in 1885, the area of Gabon came under the control of the French it was inhabited by Bantu groups.

Gabon is a presidential republic and the first president of Gabon was Léon M’ba, who was elected in 1961, along with Omar Bongo Ondimba as his vice president, who later became the president.

President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba is considered the longest serving head of state ever. He ruled over Gabon from 1967 to 2009 (The year of his death).

Gabon discovered offshore oil, in the 1970s.

Local Gabonese cuisine is based on staples of cassava, rice or manioc paste, fish that is found in plenty along the rivers and coastal belt, game meat from antelopes, porcupine, wild boar and snake as well as tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples and sugarcane. Gabonese food is reputed to be delicious and different, but unfortunately is not easily available in the cafes and restaurants in the cities that more often than not prefer to serve African cuisine from Senegal, Cameroon and Congo.

Though debatable, men seem to have higher status than women. They make the financial decisions and control the family, though the women add input and are often outspoken. The men dominate the government, the military, and the schools, while the women do the majority of the manual labor for the family.

Mask making and ritual face paint are important parts of Gabonese culture, and styles vary dramatically between groups. The Gabonese people use masks to praise the ancestors and to mark important life events by signifying transformation. They are part of funeral and agrarian rites, and Gabonese people use them to promote fertility, provide spiritual protection and express cultural identity. These masks sometimes also express fluid gender concepts, with male dancers wearing masks that depict female faces. Masks vary in style and include geometric shapes, stylized and exaggerated features and realistically detailed faces.

A country with a primarily oral tradition up until the spread of literacy in the 21st century, Gabon is rich in folklore and mythology. “Raconteurs” are currently working to keep traditions alive such as the mvett among the Fangs and the ingwala among the Nzebis.

Gabonese music is little-known in comparison with regional giants like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon. The country boasts an array of folk styles, as well as pop stars like Patience Dabany and Annie Flore Batchiellilys, a Gabonese singer and renowned live performer.